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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Economics (Income $48-$75k) in Virginia

20 Ranked Colleges
1,278 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor's in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 48,831 people earned their degree in economics, making the major the 18th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, economics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $47,295 and had an average of $21,978 in loans still to pay off.

Across Virginia, there were 1,392 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $47,150 and $23,646 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,278 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 20 colleges that offer a degree in economics. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality economics programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the economics program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Economics Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k” list to help you make the college decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 20 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Economics (Income $48-$75k) in Virginia

#1

Washington and Lee University

Lexington, Virginia

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Washington and Lee University landed the #1 spot on the list. This small school is located in Lexington, Virginia, and it awarded 56 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Washington and Lee also made our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $4,718 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Washington and Lee.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at Washington and Lee University

#2

William & Mary

Williamsburg, Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend William & Mary. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k list. Williamsburg, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s economics degrees to 142 students in 2019-2020.

William & Mary also made our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend William & Mary is $11,721 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at William & Mary

#3

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Virginia - Main Campus. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k. University of Virginia - Main Campus is a large school located in Charlottesville, Virginia that handed out 511 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Virginia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Virginia is $14,671 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Virginia - Main Campus Economics Report

#4

Virginia Military Institute

Lexington, Virginia

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Virginia Military Institute landed the #4 spot on the list. VMI is a small school located in Lexington, Virginia that handed out 50 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

VMI also took the #7 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Virginia Military Institute is $10,362 for virginia bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at Virginia Military Institute

#5

University of Richmond

University of Richmond, Virginia

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Richmond landed the #5 spot on the list. This small school is located in University of Richmond, Virginia, and it awarded 42 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our virginia bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $48-$75k list, URichmond has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend URichmond is $12,923 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Richmond Economics Report

#6

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Virginia Tech is a large public school situated in Blacksburg, Virginia. It awarded 116 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Virginia Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $19,067 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Virginia Tech.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Economics at Virginia Tech

#7

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, Virginia

James Madison University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. James Madison University is a large school located in Harrisonburg, Virginia that handed out 61 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our virginia bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $48-$75k list, JMU has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $19,843 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend James Madison University.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at JMU

#8

Emory and Henry College

Emory, Virginia
#12 in overall quality

Emory and Henry College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Emory & Henry College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Emory, Virginia. It awarded 5 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Emory & Henry College also made our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $17,679 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Emory and Henry College.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Economics at Emory & Henry College

#9

George Mason University

Fairfax, Virginia

George Mason University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #9. Fairfax, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s economics degrees to 132 students in 2019-2020.

GMU also made our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $20,468 for virginia bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend George Mason University.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Economics at George Mason University

#10

Longwood University

Farmville, Virginia
#17 in overall quality

Longwood University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k list. Longwood is located in Farmville, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 bachelors’s economics degrees to qualified students.

Longwood also took the #17 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Longwood is $18,294 for virginia bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Economics at Longwood

#11

Christopher Newport University

Newport News, Virginia

Christopher Newport University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k list. CNU is located in Newport News, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 35 bachelors’s economics degrees to qualified students.

CNU also made our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend Christopher Newport University is $22,134 for virginia bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at Christopher Newport University

#12

Radford University

Radford, Virginia

With a ranking of #12, Radford University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k list. Radford, Virginia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s economics degrees to 20 students in 2019-2020.

Radford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend Radford is $15,546 for virginia bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Economics at Radford

#13

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, Virginia
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Old Dominion University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k list. Old Dominion is a public institution located in Norfolk, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Old Dominion also made our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #18. The yearly cost to attend Old Dominion University is $16,958 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Economics at Old Dominion University

#14

Bridgewater College

Bridgewater, Virginia
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Bridgewater College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k list. Bridgewater is located in Bridgewater, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 bachelors’s economics degrees to qualified students.

Bridgewater did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend Bridgewater is $16,843 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Economics at Bridgewater College

#15

University of Mary Washington

Fredericksburg, Virginia

University of Mary Washington landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UMW is a small public school situated in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It awarded 12 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

UMW also took the #16 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMW is $19,203 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at UMW

#16

Randolph - Macon College

Ashland, Virginia

Randolph - Macon College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Randolph - Macon is located in Ashland, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 bachelors’s economics degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our virginia bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $48-$75k list, Randolph - Macon has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $21,529 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Randolph - Macon College.

The low student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Economics at Randolph - Macon College

#17

Roanoke College

Salem, Virginia
#10 in overall quality

Roanoke College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Salem, Virginia, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 11 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s economics students in 2019-2020.

Roanoke did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $21,513 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Roanoke.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at Roanoke College

#18

Marymount University

Arlington, Virginia
#15 in overall quality

Marymount University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. Marymount University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Arlington, Virginia. It awarded 10 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Marymount also took the #15 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Marymount is $26,627 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at Marymount University

#19

Hampden - Sydney College

Hampden-Sydney, Virginia

Hampden - Sydney College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Hampden-Sydney, Virginia, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 23 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s economics students in 2019-2020.

Hampden - Sydney not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list. The estimated yearly cost for Hampden - Sydney is $27,862 for virginia bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Economics at Hampden - Sydney

#20

University of Lynchburg

Lynchburg, Virginia
#20 in overall quality

University of Lynchburg landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This small school is located in Lynchburg, Virginia, and it awarded 11 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Lynchburg not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend Lynchburg is $20,403 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Economics at University of Lynchburg

Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to pixabay.

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